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Cincinnati Bengals: Pros and cons from 2021 schedule

By Leigh Oleszczak

The Cincinnati Bengals offense (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Cincinnati Bengals offense (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Fans hold up signs during the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens game (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Fans hold up signs during the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens game (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals fans officially know what the 2021 schedule looks like. They know when the games will be played and the path the Bengals will have to take toward being a relevant, contending team. It won’t be easy, of course, as the Bengals have a tough slate this year, but there are some good things to take away from this year’s schedule.

I looked over the Bengals schedule once again and came up with four pros and four cons regarding the 2021 slate. Let’s take a look at my list, starting with a pro.

Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Schedule Pros and Cons

Pro: Bengals start the season at home

Starting the season at home is always a thrill but to start the season at home after a season where not many fans were allowed to attend adds to the excitement level. Fans will be jacked to return to Paul Brown Stadium to watch the Bengals once again and they’ll get to do so in Week 1 against the Vikings.

Vikings fans are some of the most dedicated in the league so this could lead to quite a bit of purple in the stands but after having to stay home during the 2020 season, Bengals fans will be ready to cheer on their guys. I wrote an article this week listing must-win games for Cincinnati and this Week 1 matchup against the Vikings made that list.

Con: Brutal schedule

It’s no secret that the Bengals have one of the toughest schedules in the entire league. This isn’t a shock considering they’re in a division with three playoff teams from a season ago and they also face the NFC North (who had two teams make the playoffs) and have the Chiefs on their schedule due to facing the AFC West this year.

Cincinnati has the sixth toughest schedule in the league (well, they’re tied for sixth, actually) and wins are going to be few and far between. The Bengals are used to playing tougher slates due to being in the AFC North so this isn’t anything new but no one ever wants to play a difficult schedule.